Fabric making machine



Aug. 16, 1960 w. 1.. HANNA FABRIC MAKING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 4, 1956 Zita em) Aug. 16, 1960 w. L. HANNA FABRIC MAKING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 4, 1956 Aug. 16, 1960 w. L. HANNA FABRIC MAKING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 4, 1956 Aug. 16, 1960 w. L. HANNA 2,949,135

FABRIC MAKING MACHINE Filed June 4, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 I 44 If! j? if 121 m & fare/afar iI ZZZJ'Q'WL- [Ya/1m 1 1960 w. L. HANNA 2,949,135

FABRIC MAKING MACHINE Filed June 4, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug. 16, 1960 w. L. HANNA FABRIC MAKING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed June 4, 1956 FABRIC MG MACHINE William L. Hanna, Foxboro, Mass., assignor to Bugbee and Niles 'C0., Plainville, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Filed June 4, 1956, Ser. No. 589,038 15 Claims. (Cl. 140-3 This invention relates to machines for making mesh fabric of the kind comprised of a plurality of small components flexibly joined by connector elements of comparable size as distinguished from woven, knitted or braided fabric in which the fabric forming components are of a continuous nature. Such mesh fabrics are commonly used for making jewelry, handbags, belts and the like, and the components are small metal pieces provided with interengageable holes and prongs or their equivalent by which the parts are flexibly connected piece by piece. Hand assembly of the parts is tedius and un-' economical because the tiny component parts are hard to pick up and put together and such machines as have heretofore been designed for this purpose are complicated, incapable of joining more than one line of parts at a time and inefficient. Objects of this invention are to provide a machine for assembling and flexibly joining a plurality of tiny component parts to form a continuous strip fabric of any desired width Without flaws or gaps; which is substantially automatic in operation. except for loading with a supply of parts; which is dependable; requires little adjustment; and produces a fabric at a much faster rate and more economically than has heretofore been possible.

The machine hasa fabric forming station at which there is means for supporting two rows of component parts to be joined in spaced parallel relation so that any .given pair in one row is contiguous to a pair in the adjacent row, and so that the proximate sides of the two pairs are quadrilaterally arranged, and means for supplying a single connector element to each two pair of quadrilaterally arranged components and joining the proximate sides of the individual components of said .pairs. The means for supporting the components has a horizontally arranged line of passages through it for supporting a plurality of connector elements, each with a plurality of prongs for engagement with the components.

The supporting means includes feed means and is intermittently operable to advance pairs of components successively in such manner that the trailing pair at anystep 'in the feeding movement constitutes. the leading pair in the next step, so that any two adjacent components in a .given row overlap a singlepassage in the supporting means and so that any. two adjacent components In successive rows overlap the same passage.

Each passage has in it a punch pin which is reciprocal therein and the connector elements are supplied to the passages ahead of the punch pins so that forward movement of thepunch pins advances the connector elements through the components overlapping the passage, thereby engaging the prongs carried by the connector elements with the holes in the components. Facing the support is an anvil against which the prongs of the connector elements are forced and clinched by the forward movement of the punch pins and associated with the anvil is a cutter bar which severs the line of components joined to the trailing edge of the formed fabric from the succeeding rows of elements simultaneously with the clinching operation.

2,949,135 I Patented Aug. 16,1960

. 2 Y The feed means are constituted by a feed-in feedbar arranged to advance strips of the components to the station and a take-up feedbar for withdrawing the formed fabric from the station for take-up. These feedbars are going side of the take-up feedbar which operates in timed relation therewith to advance and support 'the fabric above the take-up feedbar, thereby to keep it flat and to minimize sagging. Feedback stops are also employed, one with'the feed-in feedbar to prevent the weight of the strips from pulling them back when unsupported by the feed-infeedbar and the other to prevent the weight of the fabric from sagging back when the take-u'pl feedbar and auxiliary feedbar are disengaged from the fabric. *1 r The connectors are also supplied in strips and are delivered to the fabric forming station for insertion into the fabric forming components by a carrier arranged to move in quarter turns with respect to the fabric forming station. The carrier has four magazine bars located apart, each of which is adapted to hold a line ofconnectors and to have the connectors ejected therefrom into and through the passages in the support at the fabric forming station by the pins referred to above.

These pins are supported by the carrier and are operated by suitable means in timed relation with the feeding: means. One-half of'the connectors are loaded into the carrier at one connector forming'station' and the other half at a; second connector fdrming station. The first station is located diametrically opposite the fabric forming station and the other intermediate the two. The strips of the connector elements are supplied to each'station by feedbars which advance one row of elements at a time into positions opposite the magazine bars. Each strip contains a plurality of elements joined tandemly by. bridge pieces which when severed midwaybetween the elements provide embryo prongs. At each'station thereis a cutter bar and forming pins for respectively-severing; thebridge pieces between connector elements to separate the leading ones from the ends of .the strips and pushing the severed connectors through holes in a platen which bends the embryo prongs at right angles to the elements in readiness to be inserted through the components and into holes in the magazine bar. 'At one station every other one of the holes in the bar is filled with a formed connector element and at the other the alternate holes are: filled. At each station there is in addition to the-feedbar a feedback stop yieldably' engaged with the strips to prevent-the weight of the strips from pulling them rearwardly when the feedbar is out of engagement therewith.

The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevationof the machine;

Fig. 1a is a vertical section of a fabric'guide and feed-:

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken front to back and at thecenter line of the main frz'i'me;

Fig. 3a is a section taken on the line 3a- 3a of Fig,

.Fig; 3b is a vertical section through the drive shaft gf the connector forming station at the right side of the,

machine;

Fig. 3c is an elevation of an adjustment for the rocker;

arm of the lower feedbar at the fabric forming statioini Fig. 3d is a plan view of an alignment bar for the connector elements at either one of the connector element forming stations;

Fig. 4 is an elevation partly in vertical section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; I

- Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the work feeding means, cutting means and punching means at either of the connector forming stations;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the feeding means, fabric forming and clinching means at the fabric forming station; a v

Fig. 7 is a magnified plan view of a fragmentary portion of the finished fabric showing at its upper part the components and connectors interengaged and at its lower part the strips ofjcomponents prior to joining;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged section taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6; 3,

Fig. 9 is a magnified plan view of a strip of connector elements; p I H V 10 is a plan view taken on the line 10 -10 of Fig. 11 is a section taken on the line 11-11, of

Fig. 4;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary vertical section of a feedback stop at the fabric forming station;

I Fig. 13 is an elevation of auxiliary feeding means at the fabric forming station;

Fig. 14 is a plan view of a feedback stop for either of the connector element forming stations; and

Fig. 15 is a vertical section taken on the line 1515 of Fig.- 14.

Referring to the drawings, Figs. 1 and 2, the machine has a base 10 comprised of spaced pairs of parallel upright legs 12 -12 and 14-14, fastened by suitable means at their lower ends to the rails 16 and 20 which provide a rigid rectangular footing for the legs. The rails 20 extend beyond the legs 14 to the left, as shown in Fig. 1, so as to provide a footing for amotor frame, as will be described hereinafter. Each pair of legs 12 and 14 converge as they rise from the base and areconnected intermediate their upper and lower ends by crossbars 18 (Fig. 2 At the upper extremities of the pairs of legs are fastened supports 22 and 24 ('Fig. 4), respectively. The support 22 consists of a rigid annular plate 22a, at the center of which is mounted a hub 26, the latter being provided with radial arms 22b, the outer ends of which are bolted to the plate. The support 24 consists of a rigid flat plate 24a through which there is an opening and in which there is welded a hub 28. The hubs 26 and 28 provide means for rotatably supporting trunnions 30 and 32 which extend froni'the opposite sides of a carrier 34 mounted between the supports 22 24. The trunnions are carried by antifriction bearings 36 and 38 housed in the hubs. The support 22, as described, differs from the support 24 in that the hub 26 may be removed, thereby providing a convenient way' for removing the carrier when desired, merely by unbolting the arms 22!).

The carrier 34 is rotated about a horizontal axis intenmttently in'quarter steps and this is effected by a quarter turn Geneva wheel 40 (Fig. 4) fastened to the hub 32. The Geneva wheel 40 makes one-quarter of a revolution for one turn of a driver 42 which in turn has fast to it a sprocket 44 on which is entrained one end of a chain 46, the opposite end of which is entrained about a sprocket 48 (Fig. 1) fast to a horizontal shaft 50 mounted in spaced bearings 52. The bearings 52 are supportedby the motor frame which comprises the legs 14 and auxiliary legs 54, the latter being fasted atjtheir lower ends to the extensions of the. rails 20 and at their upper ends to the legs 14 by horizontal rails 56 and inclined rails 58. The ShaftSOhasfast wit a drive pulley 60 and this is driven by a belt 62 entrained about it and a pulley 64 fast to a shaft 66. The shaft 661has fastto it a pulley 6,8 and this isjdriven by a belt 70 entrained about it and a pulley 72 fast to the motor shaft of a motor M. The motor M and shaft 66 are supported by a platform 74, one end of which is mounted on a rod 76 fixed horizontally between the legs 14 and 54. The other end of the platform is supported by adjusting rods 78 and 80 (Fig. 2). The rods 78 pass downwardly from the platform through brackets 82 fast to the legs 12 and the rods 80 pass upwardly from the platform through the rails 18. The ends of the rods have nuts on them and by turning the nuts the platform 78 may be raised or lowered to keep the belt 62 at the proper tension for driving purposes.

The plates 22a and 24a are rigidly connected together by transversely extending bars 86 and 88 (Fig. 3) at the lower and upper halves, respectively. Intermediate the upper bars is a transversely extending flat platen 90. Intermediate the upper bar 88 and the lower bar 86 at the right-hand side is a transversely extending flat platen 92 and intermediate the upper bar 88 and the lower bar 86 at the left-hand side is a transversely ex tending flat platen 94. Bracket plates 96, 98 and 100 are fastened between the plates 22a and 24a above each platen and these in turn have bolted to them radially extending supporting arms 102-102, 104-104 and 106- 106, the purpose of which will be described hereinafter.

The carrier 34 has spaced parallel disk'like. sides 108-108, rigidly connected by transversely extending tubes 110 (Fig. 3), welded at their opposite ends to the insides of the sides 108-108. At quarter spacings channel bars 112 are bolted between the sides 108-408 (Fig. 3) and each channel bar has bolted in it a transversely extending forming bar 114 (Fig. 5), removably secured thereto by means of bolts 116. Each forming bar 114 has a line of holes 11 8 through it, the centers of which are spaced at distances corresponding to the width d of the connecting elements, as shown in Fig. 9, which will be referred to hereinafter. The holes are substantially rectangular in cross-section (Fig. 8), their corners being beveled and adjacent holes being interconnected. Each channel bar 112 has holes of somewhat larger diameter than the holes 118 in the forming bar which are in registration with the holes in the forming bar. Extending inwardly from each of the channel bars 112 (Figs. 3, 4 and 5) are spaced parallel rods 122122. The outer ends of these rods 122 are fixed in the channel and the inner ends are supported by notched bosses 124 (Fig. 4) on the insides of the sides 108-408. A block 126 is slidably mounted on each pair of rods 122. The outer face of each block 126 has fastened to it a retaining plate 128 through which are counter sunk holes 130 in which are seated the heads of a plurality of punch pins 132 which extend outwardly from the plate and correspond in number and spacing to the holes 118 in the forming bar 114. The forward ends of these pins extend through the holes 120, into the holes 118 and are adapted to be moved through the forming bars 114 to the forward side thereof. Reciprocation of the pins 132 in the holes is effected by the combination of turning movement of the carrier 34 and oscillation of cams, as will appear hereinafter. The rear end of each block 126 (Fig. 4) has spaced pairs of cars 134, between which are journalled rollers 136 which engage the surf-aces of cams 138 fast to a shaft 140. The shaft 140 is coaxial with the hubs 30 and 32 and is supported for rotation therein in antifriction bearings 142 and 144. The left end of the shaft 140 has fastened to it an arm 146. The arm 146 is bifurcated at its distal end (Fig. 4) and carries a pin 148 on which is slidably supported one end of a slotted bar 150 (Fig. 2). The bar 150 has threaded into its other end a rod 152 and a nut 154 mounted on the rod provides for adjusting and fixing the overall length of the slotted bar and rod. The outer extremity of the rod 152 is pivotally connected at 156 to a disk 158 fast to ashaft 160, the later being journaled at its ends on the .arrns,106- 106, as will subsequently appear. A

sprocket 162 (Fig. 1G) aiso fast on the shaft 168 is connected by a chain 164 (Figs. 1 and 2) to a sprocket 166 fast to the shaft 50, so that the shaft 160 derives its rotation from the shaft 50 which, as previously explained, is driven by the motor M. Rotation of the disk 158 oscillates the slotted bar 152 which in turn through the arm 146 turns the cams 138 in a clockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 3, so as to bring the high sides of the cams into engagement with the rollers 136 and hence to force the blocks 126 radially outward thus forcing the pins 132 through the holes in the forming bar 114.

The stroke of the slotted bar 152 is adjusted to cause the cams to move from the position shown in Fig. 3 clockwise past the rollers 136 into a positionbetween these rollers and the next set of rollers. As the cams move beyond the rollers the block is returned to its initial position by strong springs 168 (Fig. 4) seated in pockets in the block with their forward ends projecting therefrom into contact with the rear side of the channel 112. Upon withdrawal of the pins by the connterforce of the springs 168 the Geneva picks up the drive and turns the carrier 34 through another quarter turn thus moving the block 126 which was in a horizontal position (Fig. 3) downwardly through 90 to a vertical position and moving the upper block in a counterclockwise direction through 90 to a horizontal position. As the upper block moves toward the horizontal position it carries the cams 138 around with it so that When the carrier reaches the position in which the upper block is horizontal the cam is again in the position shown in Fig. 3, at the lower side of the rollers 136. Thus the slotted. bar 150 operates in one direction only to rotate the cams in a clockwise direction and return of the cams to their operative position is effected through rotation of the carrier itself.

The arms 186-106 at the left-hand side of the machine, as shown in Figs. 3' and 10, are horizontally spaced and the shaft 16!), previously referred to, is supported in bearings 171 at their outer ends. A cam 172 (Fig. 3a) is fast to the shaft 168 and has connected to it a capped yoke 174 from which extends a threaded sleeve 176 into which is threaded a rod 178, the latter being adjustably fastened therein by a nut 180. The opposite end of the rod 178 is correspondingly connected to a sleeve 182 in adjustable fashion by a nut 18-4. The sleeve 182 constitutes a drive bar and is pivotally connected by means of a pin 186 to the rear end of a horizontally arranged block 188 (Fig. 10), which is slidably supported on a platen 198 (Fig. 3) fastened to a bracket 192, the latter being fastened at its ends between the arms 106-106. The forward edge of the block 188 is rabbeted and has bolted to it an anvil 194 (Figs. 3 and 6), the leading edge of which has a plurality of spaced clinching recesses 196 therein and a thin flat shear blade 198 which underlies the anvil. The anvil and blade as'thus supported are reciprocal in a horizontal plane opposite the platen 94 and in alignment with the holes 200 extending horizontally therethrough, the clinching recesses 196 being centered with respect to the axes of the holes 2%. Below the horizontal line of the holes 200 and the plane of motion of the blade 198 the platen 94 is recessed to receive a hardened cutting block 202 which is cooperable with the cutting blade 198 to provide for shearing action just below the line of the axes of the holes 200. The platen 94, pins 132, anvil 194 and blade 198 constitute a fabric forming station where component parts of a fabric to be made are brought together and connected. Components of one kind are supplied in strip form to the forming station by a feedbar 204 (Fig. 6) and the completed fabric is conducted away from the forming station by feedbars 286 and 2138 (Figs. 3 and 6). The feedbar 204 has a plurality of regularly spaced, forwardly extending teeth 210 for engagement with openings in the work being advanced into position to be operated upon. The lower edge of the bar 204, as shown in Fig. 3, iS fastened. to a rod 212pivotally mounted between the forming station.

forward ends of a pair of spaced parallel arms 214-214,- The arms 214-214 are fixed to a rod 216 journaled between bosses 218-218 on the undersides of the arms 106-186. One of the arms 214 has a rearwardly ex: tending portion 220, at the extremity of which is a roller 222 which engages a cam 224 fast to the shaft'160. To provide for adjustment (Fig. 3c) the roller 222 is journaled in a bifurcated block 221 set into a hole 223 in the arm which is adjustably fixed therein by screws 225 and 227. A spring 229 stretched between pins holds the roller 222 against its cam 224. A spring 226 is stretched between a pin 228 fast to the rod 212 and a pin 238 screwed into one of the bearing bosses 218 thus yieldingly urging the feedbar forwardly against the work. Oscillation of the arm 214 by the means of the cam 224 engaged with the rear end thereof produces vertical movement of the feedbar which on its upward movement raises the work along the surface of the cutting plate 282. Upon downward movement because of its yielding mount it slides over the surface of the work so as to engage the next series of openings therein. The feedbar 206 has forwardly projecting teeth 230. .The rear edge of this bar is fastened to a rod 232 pivotally mounted between the forward endsof a pair of spaced arms 234-234- which are fixed to a rod 236 journaled in bosses 238-238 I at the top sides of the arms 106-106. On one end of the rod 286 (Fig. 10) there is fixed a rearwardly extending arm 248 which has at its distal end an elbow 2 42 with an adjusting screw 244 through it. A second arm 246 is pivotally mounted on the rod 236 and extends rearwardly therefrom across the elbow 242 resting on the adjusting screw. The rear end of'this arm carries a roller 246 which engages a cam 248 on the shaft 168. As thus constructed the cam 248 rocks the arms 23% and hence effects vertical movement of the feedbar 286. The divided arms 2348 and 246 may be angularly adjusted by turning the screw 244 to increase or decrease the stroke of the feedbar. 286 must the work permit lowering'it for the next feeding operation and to eliminate any tendency for disturbing the positionof the work at the place of its formation or pulling it back. Consequently, extending fingerf 250 (Fig. 10) which is engaged by a pin 252 mounted at the forwardend of an arm 254. This arm is pivoted on the rod 236 and has a. rearwardly extendiig portionp256 carrying a roller 258 which is engage arranged to rock clockwise engaged with the finger 250 so as to keep the feedbar work while the latter is being stepped away from the be positively removed from engagement with feedbar for the next feeding operation, however, the arm 254 is rocked counterclockwise to release the. finger 250,

and a spring 255 attached to the feedbar pulls it away 1 from the work so that it can be moved downwardly without tending to push the work back.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 9, the component parts of the work advanced to the forming station by the feedbar. j

284 comprise a plurality of strips 262. Each strip'is made up of a plurality nected to each other by. bridge pieces 26 6. The annular components 264 are joined in groups of four (Fig.7) by connector elements 268, a single strip 278 2 elements being shown '2 elements are joined by components 264, as shown in. Fig. 7; .This is accomplished by each other, pieces 272 Unlike the feedbar 204 the feedbar after an upward feeding motion in order to the rod 232 has fastened to it a rearwardly with a cam 260 on the shaft 160. The arm 254 is so as to hold the pin 252. during the feeding movement. teeth 230 engaged with the During the return movement of the of annular components .264 conof these J in Fig. 9, wherein the undivided' bridge pieces 272. One connector element is employed flexibly to join four of the annular separating the connector elements 268 from as willsubsequently appear, folding the bridgev at right angles to the plane of the element, thereby forming prongs, inserting the prongs'through the; holes in four" of the annular components 264" from one- 7 side and then folding them over and clinching them at the opposite side. The strips 262 of annular components 264 are supplied from a spool 270 (Fig. 2), rotatably mounted on a shaft 272 fixed between the legs 12 and 14 at the base of the machine below the arms 106-106. The spool has lengthwise of it a plurality of deep grooves 274, each groove being adapted to receive a single strip of connected components 264 and these are led upwardly behind the guide bar 276 to the face of the plate 202 where they are engaged beneath the teeth 210 of the feedbar 204. As previously explained, the anvil.19 blade 198, feedbars 204 and 208 and the platen 94 constitute the fabric forming station and as illustrated in Fig. 6, at this place the components 264 are moved to a position between the platen 94 and the anvil 194 so that four of them that is, two components in each of two adjacent strips of components overlap a single hole 200 in the platen 94. In this position a connector element 268 with its prongs 272 bent forwardly, as will be described hereinafter, is forced from each hole 118 by one of the pins 132, through one of the holes 200 and through the holes in the four components 264 overlapping the holes 200 against the clinching recesses 196, so that these bridge pieces are clinched that is, bent over permanently to connect the four components. Simultaneously the cutting blade 198 shears the bridge pieces 266 of the lower components 264 from the strips 262 being advanced toward the station by the feedbar 204. As the anvil 194 and pins 132 retract the feedbar 204 advances another row of components 264 into position and simultaneously the feedbar 206 raises the previously formed fabric away from the forming station.

It is desirable to support the finished fabric above the feedbar 206 to hold it perfectly flat hence the feedbar 208 is arranged to engage the fabric and to advance it in timed relation with the feedbar 206. To this end the feedbar 208 (Figs. 2 and 3) has at its forward edge a longitudinally extending lip 278 which engages the fabric. The rear edge of the bar is fixed to a rod 280 pivotally mounted between the rear ends of a pair of spaced arms 282. The forward ends of these arms are fixed to a shaft 284 which is journaled for rotation between spaced uprights 286. At one end of the shaft 284 is fixed an arm 288. The distal end of the arm 288 has a pin 290 in it which extends through a slot 292 in a link 294. An adjusting screw 296 provides for changing the position of the pin in the slot and hence the stroke of the feedbar. The link 294is connected to an eccentric 298 fixed to a shaft 300, the latter being journaled in bearings at the upper ends of arms 102-102, as will subsequently appear. Above the feedbar 208 there are mounted plates 302 having in their vertical edges notches 304 which receive the ends of .a guide rod 306. Springs 308 connected to the ends of the guide rod and to pins 310 fast to the plates yieldably press the guide bar against the fabric.

There is an additional feedback stop and fabric guide means which operates in conjunction with the feedbar 206 for holding the strips of components in perfectly spaced parallel alignment. This is constituted, as shown in Figs. 1a and 1b, by a plurality of rods 207 fastened to a crossbar 209, bolted to a bracket 211. The bracket is fulcrurned at its upper end and at opposite ends on screws 213 which bear against a plate 215 rising from the platen 94 and yieldably pressed toward the plate 215 by bolts 217 at opposite ends having springs 219 beneath their heads. The spring biased bar yieldably holds the rods 207 against the fabric and each rod extends downwardly between a pair of teeth on the feedbar 206. The teeth 230 engage the fabric through the holes of the components and the rods 207 bear against the legs of the connector elements intermediate the holes.

Below the feedbar 204 there is a stop-dog 312 (Fig. 12) in the form of a bar having forwardly facing teeth 314 for engagement with the work to hold it in position while the feedbar 204 is returning from one feeding stroke to the next feeding stroke. The dog 312 is fixed to a spring strip 316 so as yieldably to engage the work. The dog teeth have fiat upper surfaces which positively support the work from retrogression and inclined undersurfaces which permit the Work to pass upwardly beneath them. The spring strip 316 is fastened to a supporting plate 318 and the latter is fastened to the cutting plate 202 in parallel spaced relation so that the work is guided upwardly between the plate 318 and the plate 202. The cutting plate 202 has spaced parallel grooves 203 (Fig. 12) in it for assisting in guiding the strips of components in perfectly aligned relationship.

The connector elements 268 are supplied from two spools 320 and 322 (Fig. 2) located at two stations, one station being at the top of the machine and the other at the side opposite the fabric forming station. Each station has strip punching and connector element forming means, as will now be described. Starting with the forming station at the right-hand side of the machine, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the arms 104-104 support at their outer ends a horizontal shaft 324. The shaft 324 is driven from the shaft 50 by a chain 325 entrained about a sprocket 327 fast to the shaft 324 and sprocket 329 fast to the shaft 50. On the shaft 324 is fastened a cam 326 about which is bolted a yoke 328 having an inwardly extending, internally threaded sleeve 330. A connecting rod 332 is screwed into the sleeve 330 at one end and at its opposite end into a sleeve 334 which is pivotally fastened to a block 336. The leading edge of the block 336 has fastened to it a retainerplate 338 having countersunk holes for receiving the heads of punch pins 340 which project forwardly therefrom. Also on the shaft 324 are two other cams 342 on which are mounted yokes 344. These in turn are connected by rods 346 to sleeves 348 which are pivotally connected to the opposite ends of a bar 350. The leading end of the bar 350 is rabbeted and has fastened therealong a cutting bar 352 through which is a plurality of holes for slidably receiving the free ends of the pins 340. The block 336 and bar 350 are slidably supported between plates 353 and 354 bolted to the arms 104-104. Reciprocation of the block 336 and bar 350 is such as to advance the cutting bar toward the platen 92 to cut off the leading ones of the connector elements 268, and after it has been brought into engagement therewith to advance the pins 340 through it and through holes 356 in the platen 92, thereby to force the severed elements through the holes 356. The holes 356 correspond in size to the body of the elements and are beveled at their corners so that when the elements are forced into the holes the severed bridge pieces 272, which as heretofore explained provide prongs at the corners of the elements, are folded at right angles to the body of the elements. The holes 356 correspond in number to the pins and are in alignment therewith. Outwardly of the holes 356 the platen 92 is recessed to receive a cutting plate 358 which is cooperative with the cutting block 352 to provide the aforesaid shearing action. Strips of connector elements 270, as shown in Fig. 9, are wound on the spool 322 which is mounted on a horizontal axle 360 fastened between the legs 12 and 14 below the arms 104-104. The'spool has a plurality of deep grooves 362 for receiving individual strips and these are led upwardly behind a guide bar 364 to the face of the cutting plate 358 where they are engaged by a feedbar 366 having a plurality of regularly spaced teeth 368 at its upper edge for engagement with the openings between successive elements 268. The feedbar 366 is fixed at its rear edge to a bar 370 (Fig. 3) pivotally supported between the forward ends ofa pair of arms 372. The arms 372 are fixed to a shaft 374 journaled in bearing bosses 376 at the undersides of the arms 104-104. An arm 378 is fixed to one end of the shaft 374 and this arm has at its outer end an elbow 380 in which there is an adjusting screw 382. A second arm 384 is pivotallymounted on the shaft and extends outwardly therefrom across. the elbow resting on the adjusting pin. The free end of the arm .384 carries a roller 386 which engages a earn 388 fast to the shaft 324. A spring 387 (Fig. 2) holds the roller 386 against its cam. A spring 390 stretched between a pin 392 fastened to the bar 378 and to one of the bosses 376 yieldably holds the feedbar against the work so as to effect forward feeding and permits it to slide over the work during reverse movement. The forming station, as illustrated, is located in a horizontal position in the plane of the axis of rotation of the carrier so that asthe carrier is stepped around 90 at a time one of the apertured forming bars 114 will always beopposite and in alignment with this forming station. Consequently, when connector elements 268 are advanced by the feedbar 366 to a position opposite the holes 356 in the platen 92, the cutter block severs them from the strips 270 and the pins 348 force them through the holes 356 into the holes 118 in the forming bar 114 where they remain by reason of their frictional engagement with the, walls of the holes. Forcing the connector element into and through the holes 356, as related, bends the bridge pieces 272 at right angles thereby forming four prongs or legs, one at each corner of each piece. Because of the fact that the bridge pieces 272. of the connector element 278 extends laterally in the plane of the body of the element prior to bending there is not room enough to form these elements at one station in side by side relation; hence the station just described forms every other element, whereupon the carrier is rotated through 90 to the top position and the forming station at the top then forms the alternate elements and loads them into the alternate holes in the forming bar 114. At the top station the support has, as shown in Fig. 4, spaced parallel arms 102-102, as previously mentioned, at the outer ends of which is journaled the horizontal shaft 380. Theshaft 388 is driven from the shaft 50 by a chain 381 entrained about pulleys. 383 and 385 fast, respectively to the shaft 388 and the shaft 324, the latter, as previously explained, being drawn from the shaft 50 by a chain 325., A cam 484 mounted on the shaft 308 and encircled by, a yoke- 486 effects reciprocation of a threaded rod 408 adjustably connected thereto and to a sleeve 410 which is pivotaily. connected to a block 412. The block 412 has along its lower edge a retainer plate 414 inwhich. there are a plurality of countersunk openings for the reception of the heads of a corresponding number of punchpins416. Also fast'to the shaft 388 are two cams 418 on which are mounted yokes 420, whcih are adjustablyconnected by threaded rods 422 to sleeves 424 and these in turn are pivotally connected to a block 426. The lower edge of the block 426 is rabbeted (Fig. 3) to receive a cutting bar 428 which has a plurality of openings along it for reception of the lower ends of the punch pins 416. The blocks 412 and 426 are slidably retained by-a bearing plate 438 and retaining plate 432., The platen 90 has through it vertical holes 434 (Fig. 5) through which the punch pins 416 are adapted to move and is recessed at the righthand side of the holes for reception of a hardened cutting plate 436, the edge of which is cooperative with the bar 428 to provide shearing action. Strips of connector elements. 270 are led from the spool 328 which is mounted upon a horizontal spindle 438 resting in notched bearing plates440 fastened to the arms 104 -104. The spool 320 has a plurality of deep grooves 442 for holding a plurality of these strips. The strips are led from the spool beneath guides 444 and 446 to the surface ofthe cutting plate 436 and are advanced into position beneath the punch pins by a feedbar 448. The feedbar 448 has a plurality'of teeth 450 along its edge for engagement withinthe spaces between adjacent connecting elements and is fastened at its rear edge to a rod 452 pivotally supported between the lower ends of a pair of arms 454; These arms are fixed to a shaft 455 journaled in bearing bosses 456 fast to the arms l82.1l2. The shaft 455 has fast toone end an arm 458, as shown in Fig. 4, which has at itsdistalf end an elbow 460 in which there is an adjusting screw 464. A second arm 462 is pivotally mounted on the shaft 455 and extends therefrom across the elbow 460 and the adjusting screw 464 carried thereby. The free end of the arm 462 carries a roller .466 which bears against a cam 468 mountedon the shaft 300. V The arm 462 is yieldably held against the cam by a spring 478 which is attached to the arm 458 (Fig. 2). The feedba11448 is yieldably helcl againstthe work by a coiled spring 472 stretched between a pin 474 fixed in the rod 452 and a pin 476 fixed to one. of the bosses 456. Oscillation of the feedbar 448 effects forward feeding movement of the strips 278 step bystep and reciprocation of the punch pins and cutter bar sever single'elements from a forming bar 114. In order to assure perfect alignment of" the connector elements with the forming holes 340 or 438 as the case may be, after they are severed and just before they are forced into the holes an alignment or cen-' tering bar 447 (Fig. 3d) is fastened to each platen 98 01:92 along the line of holes which has shallow notches 449 spaced to receive the .ends of the connector element legs to hold the connector elements centered with respect to the underlying holes. As previously stated, at the first forming station every other hole in the forming bar 114 was filled with a connector element 268. At this station the alternate holes are now filled with connector elements so that at this point the forming bar 114 is completely filled with connector elements. Rotation of the carrier from this point to the fabric forming station thus carries a complete set of connector elements to the forming station where they are ejected from the bar, as previously explained, thrust through the openings in the fabric forming components 264 and clinched. Following ejection of a way across the holes 200 and a second line of compo nents project upwardly'from the cutting plate'202 part way across the opening 200, these being supported in that position by the fact'that they are still connected by their bridge pieces 266 to'the next adjacent components below them. Thus the freely hanging preceding components nad the newly presented components are in readiness for connection by inserting and clinching the connector elements through them. At both stations where the connector elements 268 are advanced by the respective feedbars there are feed-back stops, one'of which is shown at Figs. 14 and 15. These feed-back stops are behind the feedbars so that while the feedbars are returning from a feeding stroke for the next feeding stroke the weight of the strips extending from the spools to the feedbars will not pull back and thus spoil the accuracy of feed. 'As shown-each stop is a flat bar 478 having along one edge a plurality of teeth 488 arranged to engage the openings between successive elements. The bar has bosses 482-48;2 at its ends in which are fastened pins 484-484 which are journaled in bearing plates 486-486. The plates 486 have slots 488 therein and are fastened by screws 498 to the cutter plates 358 or 436 as the case may be. 'Springs 492 stretched between pins 494 and 496 on the plates 486 and the bar 478 respectively, yieldably 11 ing and holding the strips of connector elements in alignment.

Preparatory to operation, the leading ends of strips of component elements and connector elements wound on the respective spools are led therefrom beneath the various guides and feedback stops to the feedbars so that the leading ones at least of each strip are engaged by the teeth of the feedbars. The machine is then started and assuming that it is properly adjusted so that it accurately advances the strips one component at a time the timing of the instrumentalities is such that components are fed to the fabric forming station successively at timed intervals and connector elements are supplied to the fabric forming station during these intervals, inserted through the components and clinched. There are three feedbars at the fabric forming station, one for advancing the strips of components to the station, and two for withdrawing the formed fabric. These feedbars are so arranged with respect to the instrumentalities supplying the connector elements that at any given time there are two rows of components at the station, one row hanging from the completed fabric and the other row supported adjacent thereto by the bridge pieces connecting them to the succeeding strips. As thus arranged adjacent pairs in the two rows coincide with the instrumentalities supplying connector elements so that one connector element is inserted through and clinched to the proximate sides of each four components. The connector elements are moved into the position opposite the fabric forming station by a rotary carrier which rotates in quarter turns in timed relation with the feeding movement so that at each interval between feeding movement the carrier will support a plurality of connector elements at the fabric forming station. While the carrier is stationary, punch pins are operated to force the connector elements from the carrier into the fabric forming components. Simultaneously the carrier is loaded with additional connector elements at two other stations remote from the fabric forming station which are provided with reciprocal feeding means for advancing strips of connector elements to connector element forming stations and reciprocal means for severing the connector elements from their strips, forming them and inserting them into the carrier while the latter is stationary. 7

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and that this invention includes all modifications and equivalents which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a fabric forming machine, a fabric forming station, means at the fabric forming station to support a plurality of components in positions to be joined by connector elements, a connector element forming station, a carrier movable relative to the stations having a part arranged to coincide with the fabric forming station for supplying connector elements thereto, while another part coincides with the connector forming station in a position to receive a charge of connector elements, means for moving the carrier to bring the part filled with connector elements opposite the fabric forming station and an empty part opposite the connector forming station, and means at each station simultaneously operable to discharge connector elements from the carrier at the fabric forming station into clinching engagement with the components at the fabric forming station and to form and charge connector elements into the carrier at the connector forming station.

2. In a fabric forming machine, a fabric forming station, reciprocable feeding means for supplying components at the fabricforming station to be joined, a connector forming station, a carrier having a plurality of spaced magazines for receiving charges of connector elements, the spacing of said magazines being such that when a filled magazine is opposite the fabric forming station an empty magazine is opposite the connector forming station in readiness for receiving a charge of connectors, means for effecting movement of the carrier to bring successive filled magazines opposite the fabric forming station and simultaneously bringing empty magazines opposite the connector forming station, and reciprocal means at both stations simultaneously operable during the periods of rest of the feeding means to discharge the connector elements from the carrier magazine at the fabric forming station and to engage them with the components and to fill the carrier magazine opposite the connector forming station with a fresh supply of connector elements.

3. In a fabric forming machine, a fabric forming station, reciprocal feeding means for supplying components at the fabric forming station to a position to be joined, two connector element forming stations, a carrier having a plurality of spaced magazines having pockets for receiving a predetermined number of connector elements, said magazines being spaced so that when a filled magazine is opposite the fabric forming station others of the magazines are opposite the two connector forming stations, means for effecting movement of the carrier in timed relation with the feeding means to position a filled magazine opposite the fabric forming station during the periods of rest of the feeding means, and reciprocal means at each of said two stations simultaneously operable during the periods of rest of the feeding means to discharge the connector elements from the magazine at the fabric forming station into engagement with the components at that station and to charge connector elements into the alternate pockets of one magazine and the intermediate pockets of the other magazine.

4. In a fabric forming machine, a carrier, magazines mounted at quarter circular spacings on the carrier, means for turning the carrier in quarter steps to bring one magazine at a time opposite a given point, each magazine being adapted to contain a plurality of work pieces, a plurality of punches mounted on the carrier for movement in rotation therewith and for reciprocation thereon in radial directions with respect to the center of rotation of the carrier, reciprocation of the punches being operable to thrust the work pieces fiom the magazine at said given point in the rotation of the carrier, intermittently operable cam means rotatable about an axis coinciding with the axis of rotation of the carrier, follower means at the inner ends of the punches bearing on the cam means, means yieldably holding the last-named means engaged with the cam means, and means normally idle for turning the cam means in a direction during the dwell of the carrier to thrust the pins radially, said follower means being operable during rotation of the carrier to return the cam means to its initial position in readiness for the succeeding operation.

5. In a fabric forming machine, a fabric forming station at which a plurality of fabric forming components are supported for joining, connector element forming stations, means at said connector element forming stations for supplying connector elements, a carrier having several spaced magazines movable with respect to said stations, means at the connector element forming station for shaping the connector elements and transferring them to the several magazines of the carrier, and means on the carrier operable to transfer the connector elements from the magazine opposite the fabric forming station into clinching engagement with the components at the fabric forming station while connector elements are being formed and transferred from the connector forming stations to the magazines of the carrier, which are opposite the connector forming stations.

6. In a fabric forming machine, a connector element forming station comprising a platen containing a plurality of holes, means intermittently operable to advance strips of joined connector elements along the surface of the platen to bring the'leading one of the elements in 13 V 7 each strip opposite a hole, said elements having body portions corresponding substantially size to the holes in the platen and bridge pieces 'extendingla-terally therefrom joining each piece toan' adjacent piece, .a cutter arranged to move in a path perpendicular to the strips intermediate the piece over the hole and the next piece to sever t bridge ss s m flllili w th e ts a P n arranged to move in a path coaxial withthe axis of each hole, and means for effecting reciprocation of the cutter and punches in timed relation with the feeding means and in seriatim to sever the elements from the strips and thrust them into the holes.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein there is a carrier adjacent the platen containing twice as many holes as there are in the platen, said punch pins being operable to thrust the elements through the holes in the platen into the holes in the carrier, said carrier being rotatable in timed relation with the reciprocation of the punch pins so that holes in the carrier are in alignment with holes in the platen during the forward thrust of the punch pins and the cutter.

8. In a machine for making a fabric, a fabric forming station having a vertical work supporting surface, feed-in means reciprocally operable to advance successive rows of spaced components along the surface so that at each operation there are two rows of components at the station, means at the station operable in timed relation with the feed-in means to join the components at each row to each other and to the components in succeeding rows, a toothed feedbar at the station operable in reciprocation in timed relation with the first feeding means to withdraw the fabric formed by said connecting operation, the teeth of the feedbar being located to engage the components and a guide member yieldably bearing against the fabric adjacent the toothed feedbar, said guide member having spaced parallel rod-like elements which substantially parallel the surface of the fabric and which extend downwardly from above the toothed feed bar between its teeth, said rod-like element bearing against the connector elements between the components.

9. In a machine for making a fabric, a fabric forming station having a vertical work supporting surface, feedin means reciprocally operable to advance successive rows of spaced components along the surface so that at each operation there are two rows of components at the station, means at the station operable in timed relation with the feed-in means for joining the components in each row to each other and to rows, and other feeding means at the station operable in reciprocation in timed relation with the first feeding means to withdraw the fabric formed by said connecting operation, said support at the feeding-in side having a plurality of spaced parallel grooves therein for holding the strips of components in alignment as they are advanced toward the fabric forming station.

10. In a fabric forming machine, a connector element forming station comprising a platen containing a plu-.

rality of holes, a spacer bar fast to the platen having spaced recesses for receiving the ends of the legs of the connector elements, said recessesbeing aligned with the holes in the platen to hold the connector elements centered with respect to the holes, means for advancing strips of joining connector elements along the surface of the platen so as to bring the legs of the leading one of the connector elements in each strip into a recess in the spacer bar and centered with respect to the holes in the platen, and cutting means and punching pins operable in timed relation with the feeding means to cut the connector element from the leading end of each strip to separate the leading one of said connector elements from the following strip and to force it into the hole beneath it.

11. In a fabric forming machine, a connector element forming station comprising a platen containing a plurality of holes, means for advancing strips of joined connector the components in the succeeding M ,14....-' elements along the surface of the platen so as to bring the leading one of theconnector elements in each strip er One Pf thehq es sa d la en h n a p u al y of pah dnara elsrchyes therein .fQl h l the stripsrof h w fls me' n pe ec a i nm and ut i means and punching pins operable in timed relationwith th f ed n ean to 9 1; thesna g l t rom t leading end of each strip to separate the leading one of said connector elements from the following strip and to 7 force it into the hole.

12. In a machine for making a mesh fabric, a platen containing in a straight line a plurality of holes, feeding Jmeans movable in the plane of one side of the platen to advance successive rows of components across the platen, means for effecting intermittent movement of the feeding means so that at any given time there are two rows of components resting on the platen, straddling the line of holes, an anvil spaced from and parallel to the same side of the platen opposite the holes, said anvil being movable to and from the platen, a rotary carrier at the opposite side of the platen, mounted to turn on an axis parallel to the platen, means on the carrier for supporting a line of connectors corresponding in number to the holes in the platen, means for rotating the carrier to bring the line of connectors opposite the holes in the platen, implements movable through the holes in the platen to and from the anvil when thecarrier occupies a position in which the connectors are opposite the holes in the platen, and means for effecting relative movement of the implements and anvil while the feeding means is at rest to eject the connectors from the carrier, force them through the holes in the platen and through the connectors into engagement with the anvil.

13. In a machine for making a mesh fabric, a platen containing in a straight line a plurality of holes, means mounting coils of components in strip form, side by side, for movement of the strips in the plane of the platen at right angles to the line of the holes therein, means for effecting intermittent movement of the feeding means so as to position two rows of components transversely of the platen, with one row at one side and the other row at the other side of the line of holes, an anvil spaced from and parallel to the same side of the platen opposite" the holes, said anvil being movable to and from the platen, a cutter mounted on the anvil for movement therewith to and from the platen, a rotary carrier at the opposite side of the platen mounted to turn on an axis parallel to the platen, means on the carrier for supporting a line of connectors corresponding in number to the holes in the platen, means for rotating the carrier to bring the line of connectors opposite the holes in the platen, implements, movable through the holes in the platen to and from the anvil when the carrier occupies a position in which the connectors are opposite the holes, and means for effecting relative movement of the implements and anvil while the feeding means is at rest to eject the connectors from the carrier, force them through the holes in the platen and through the'components against the anvil and to sever the attached components from the succeeding components at the leading ends of the strips.

14; Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein there is means operable in cadence with the feeding means and in the plane of the platen to withdraw the fabric formed by the connecting operation as fast as it is formed.

15. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein there is feeding means for withdrawing the fabric formed by said connecting operation, operable in cadence with the feeding means for advancing the components to the platen and other means associated with each of said feeding (References on following page) References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Gros Feb. 24, 1914 Pratt Apr. 28, 1914- 5 Pratt Dec. 15, 1914 Chargueraud Dec. 7, 1915 Berkley Oct. 7, 1919 

